03/25/2020
Covid-19 Update:
As more Ontario hospitals are feeling the capacity pressure of COVID -19 emergency, The Ministry of Long-Term Care are trying to find ways to alleviate these pressures, In light of the COVID-19, I am concerned about caregivers in Ontario, Caregivers need be conscious of their individual personal capacity to cope. Caregiver stress is real and can definitely impact one's own health. Take a break, get out for a walk, go to a different area of your home, have “a me” time out. Call on other family members, volunteers or other family members or Church friends to help, being mindful of social distancing and asking if they have traveled outside Ontario lately, do they had fever, new cough or shortness of breath, before they can assist an elderly love one.
COVID_19 Case definition:
How do you know that a person may be infected with COVID-19?
According to the Public Health officials, a person with sudden onset of fever ranging from 38* C and over and/or onset of cough, or worsening cough or difficulty breathing, generalized feeling of unwell and sore throat symptoms are at risk. If this person has traveled or just returned within/after 14 days of traveling to an impacted are, Or if one had just came back from travel or made close contact with a confirmed or probable individual who had just recently traveled outside the country or someone who has been sick with cold-like symptoms of unknown origin. If this is happening to you or someone you know, or yourself hopefully not you are being encouraged to self-isolate, contact your family doctor or a health practitioner to discuss your symptoms.
Seniors are the most venerable: The elderly populations are most vulnerable. I do know that LTC homes are facing some challenges with staffing now they are more stretched too thin with their funding and supplies.
The Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau during his address on Monday March 23,2020 for Canadians to “go home and stay home”, limit the number of people they come into close contact with, avoid non-essential trips out, cancel gatherings and keep a two-meter
Prime Minister Trudeau pleads with Canadians to adhere to self-isolation and social distancing because those who are not abiding by these rules are risking their health and those of others. He insisted that Enough is enough… stay home'. I know that some folks are saying the Prime minister is scolding us. If that is the case so be it!. During my previous note to you, I maintained that we are in this “together not separately”. To end Covid-19 everyone has to play their part together, not separately. Trudeau said Canadians who are following the guidlines are doing a great job but frustrated by those who aren’t, and everyone needs to “do their part.” I could not agree more with him.
The Fact remains that the researchers are working night and day to figure out how to stop or manage this COVID-19 Virus.
We are all in the same Team:
COVID-19 is attacking all of us across the world, it does not matter your line of work, we are all effected. For the first time in a long time, we all in this together, regardless of your social, economic or political background or racial group, we are all pushing for the same goal stop and end COVID-19 Virus.
Can we do it?
Absolutely, we have done it in the past going back to history such as in the times of Polio, Measures, Tetanus, Diabetes and many other nasty dangerous bacterial diseases and viruses, we can do this together.
Thank you
Dr. Georgina Njoku
